CITIZENS DOWN MALANTI CHIEFS

Malanti Chiefs.................................................... (1)3
Thembumenzi 33rd, Thokozani 57th, Lindokuhle 80th
Mbabane Citizens............................................... (1)4
Samkeliso 4th, 75th, Vusi 79th, Sipho 86th

PIGG’S PEAK – Mbabane Citizens beat Malanti Chiefs to dent their hopes of returning to the elite league in a seven-goal thriller where the former won 4-3 during the National First Division played at Killarney Stadium yesterday.

The win does little for the visiting side in as far as competing for the league title; only to ensure that they finish the league in the top four.On the other hand, the loss for Malanti Chiefs means they could be left out of promotion if they continue losing more matches with Vovovo winning 2-0 against Hlatikhulu Tycoons. As things stand, Matsapha United are safe to qualify to the elite league as they are perched on the top spot with 44 points. The battle now is between Malanti Chiefs and Vovovo to join Matsapha for the elite league race.

The visitors were first to draw blood just four minutes into the game through Samkeliso Dlamini who tapped in a Sipho Tsabedze cross which Malanti goalkeeper Mpendulo failed to deal with.
It took the hosts 33 minutes to restore parity through Thembumenzi Mayisela. He benefitted from a goal-mouth scramble to make it 1-1.

The tightly contested game went into the breather with the teams sharing the spoils. After resumption, the gold and black ensemble came back strong and at 57 minutes they were 2-1 ahead thanks to former Mbabane Highlanders man Thokozani Khanyile, who broke free from the defenders to give his side a much needed advantage.

Samkeliso completed his brace when the game was 75 minutes old to make it 2-2.He headed home from former Highlanders anchorman Mancoba Vilakati’s cross; who was a marvel to watch on the day. Citizens piled more pressure on the Mduduzi Nxumalo-led charges and they eventually found one through Vusi Hlandze, who unleashed a cracker inside the box in the 79th minute to make it 3-2. Malanti scored one more through Lindokuhle Fakudze just a minute later to make it 3-3, much to the delight of the over 100 fans who came to watch the match.

However, Sipho Sibandze was the hero for the Bongani Makhanya-led charges as he calmly controlled the ball inside the box just a minute before full-time and unleashed a strong shot that beat Mpendulo Dlamini between the poles.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: